CELEBRATIONS have taken place to mark the second anniversary of a Wirral beauty spot's opening.
Wirral South MP Alison McGovern and mayor of Wirral Pat Hackett jointly cut the birthday cake during an event at Port Sunlight River Park.
The site was used for landfill from 1991 to 2006 and later re-developed, at a cost of £2.3m, by the Land Trust.
It features wildflower meadows, grasslands and picturesque views of Liverpool’s skyline.
Since opening, its park volunteers have worked tirelessly, holding anniversary celebrations both last year and this year. It has won and been nominated for a number of awards.
Alison McGovern (pictured below, cutting the second anniversary cake with mayor Pat Hackett) said: "I feel very proud of this park having been involved with it since before it opened to the public when it was in the earlier stages of development.
"I remember the site when it was a landfill site and it is so lovely to see it as the beautiful public space it is now.
"I have no doubt that the awards the park has won and been nominated for is down to the extraordinary work of all the volunteers involved.
"This was demonstrated on Sunday when volunteers were working so hard to make the day a success and keeping everyone safe.
"I would also like to thank all the people who brought stalls and displays along including food and drink stalls, wildlife displays and the fire engine which has been along to the event two years in a row.
Flashback: Alison McGovern officially opens the park in August 2014. Picture: Paul Heaps
"It was a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the Port Sunlight River Park and I am very proud of everyone who has made the park’s development possible and to those who have made it go from strength to strength.
"It's a great example of what a community can achieve when people come together.”
Flashback: Visitors to Port Sunlight River Park on the day it officially opened in August 2014. Picture: Paul Heaps
Alison Kelly, from the Park's friends group organised the celebration.
She said: "Over 30 volunteers helped with the event on the day including some outstanding contributions to promotions and fund raising.
"We were delighted the visitor numbers exceeded 1000, many of whom were new visitors to our beautiful River Park.
"The support of our stall holders, Autism Together, our Park Ranger Anne Litherland combined with the Friends superb efforts helped to make this our best event yet."
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